Deli Dave’s under new management

Deli Dave’s is under new ownership, but don’t worry — everything you know and love about this Pueblo West icon is still the same, minus the namesake owner.

Dave Harrison sold the sandwich shop to T.J. Podio and Thomas Suzuki in early September, after the whole thing “just kind of fell into our lap,” Podio said.

“(Thomas), he’s an old car junky and so is Dave, so they hit it off and it just sort of happened,” Podio said. Harrison wasn’t necessarily looking to sell the business, although he had it in the market in 2010. But everything just seemed to fall together.

Podio said he and Suzuki had been looking at possibly opening a 24-hour fast food restaurant in Pueblo West, and looked at several buildings in the community, so when the Deli Dave’s opportunity came open, it made sense.

“Basically I came into an incredibly-run business already. I just walked in the door and it was here,” Podio said. “So it’s a cool situation for us to be in.”

Podio said that although the ownership has changed, everything else will remain status quo, as he realizes that Deli Dave’s – an iconic Pueblo West restaurant that opened in 1987 and is Pueblo West’s longest running eatery – is well loved by the community.

“We want to reassure the community that Deli Dave’s is going to remain the same,” Podio said. “The same things you know and love. We understand it’s a staple of the community.”

Harrison opened the deli after talking to lots of folks in Pueblo West about what kind of restaurant they’d like. His menu expanded through the years as more and more people became loyal customers of Deli Dave’s. Most of the restaurant’s employees are Pueblo West residents.

As before, Deli Dave’s is open Monday through Saturday at 10:30 a.m., closing at 7 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 3 p.m. on Saturday. The restaurant is located at 360 S. McCulloch Blvd., and can be reached at 547-3400. Dine-in and carryout is available, including a drive-up window for pick-ups.

Deli Dave’s is also on Facebook, where a menu is available for viewing, as well as specials.